The EU has released a new frequently asked questions as relate to its Russia sanctions regime. The European Commission updated its consolidated FAQs page while issuing specific FAQs on central securities depositories; import, purchase and transfer of listed goods; execution of contracts and claims; asset freeze and prohibition on making funds and economic resources available; insurance and reinsurance; reporting obligations under the oil import restrictions; and public procurement.
The Bureau of Industry and Security recently revoked export privileges for two people after they illegally exported controlled items from the U.S.
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The U.K. Office for National Statistics released a report on the impact of the Russian sanctions regime on British trade with Russia as of June. The report found imports of Russian goods totaled over $38.65 million in June, a 96.6% drop from the average monthly imports in the 12 months to February. The U.K. didn't import any fuel from Russia in June for the first time since records started being kept in January 1997, with alternatives found from Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Belgium and Kuwait, the report said. Imports of all commodities declined compared with the monthly average for the 12 months prior to February. While exports slightly increased compared with May, the levels dropped by 66.9% from the monthly average for the 12 months before February, the report said.
Switzerland added two individuals to its Russian sanctions list following their addition to the EU's sanctions regime, the Swiss Federal Council announced: Viktor Fedorovych Yanukovych and his son, Oleksandr Viktorovych Yanukovych. The council said Viktor Yanukovych was a party to a scheme where Yanukovych would have replaced Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, while Oleksandr Yanukovych has carried out transactions with separatist groups based in Ukraine's Donbas region. The council also amended the entry for Sergey Yurevich Kuzovlev.
The Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs completed an interagency review of a Bureau of Industry and Security prerule that could lead to new emerging technology export controls (see 2208020009) on “instruments for the automated chemical synthesis of peptides.” The proposed rule, which was mentioned in the agency’s spring regulatory agenda (see 2206270007), would seek public comments on the controls and help BIS determine whether the instruments could provide the U.S. or its adversaries a “qualitative military or intelligence advantage.” OIRA completed its review on Aug 26.
The State Department’s Directorate of Defense Trade Controls is updating its website and Defense Export Control and Compliance System (DECCS) to reflect the International Traffic in Arms Regulations reorganization that takes effect Sept. 6 (see 2203220013), DDTC said. Updates are being made “on a rolling basis,” with the changes to the DDTC website expected to be “completed and updated” no later than Sept. 9, the agency said. Effective Sept. 6, “all DECCS applications (Registration, Licensing, Advisory Opinions, and Commodity Jurisdictions) will reflect the revised ITAR citations,” it said.
The State Department imposed an administrative debarment on three former U.S. intelligence community and military members for their roles in export control violation charges, the agency said. The debarments prohibit Ryan Adams, Marc Baier and Daniel Gericke from exporting or participating in transactions that export defense articles or services that require a license under the International Traffic in Arms Regulations. The debarments for Adams and Baier took effect July 7 and expire July 7, 2025; the debarment for Gericke took effect Aug. 5 and expires Aug. 5, 2025.
The Bureau of Industry and Security last week revoked the export privileges for five people after they illegally exported defense equipment from the U.S., including two for shipping thermal devices to Russia.
The State Department should sanction Argentina's Vice President Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner and her immediate family for corruption, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, said in an Aug. 25 letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Cruz said the evidence against Fernandez de Kirchner is “public, credible, and now backed by Argentina’s judicial system,” adding that the Biden administration should “expeditiously impose sanctions” mandated under the 2022 government funding package that passed earlier this year. The State Department didn’t comment.